With the help of many on this board and reminding me "to stay the coarse," Mrs. and Mr. B. Wellington quietly became the Millionaires Next door last month. Yes, a strong bull market helped us to this level.

Some of you know that we are not doctors or high paid engineers. We are Joe and Jane Lunchbox in blue collar positions who grew up in a small Midwestern town that most have never heard of.

This comes somewhat bitter-sweet, let me explain. My biggest supporter and "cheerleader," my mother, passed away last year. She often reminded me that at age 8 or 9 I said that I wanted to become a "millionaire" before I reached 50. I was 6 years late to the party, however she knew how hard I had worked and saved. She also knew I had (a few) investments.

We are very private people and to share this with others in the family or friends would be asking for trouble. The looks (we don't "fit" the millionaire myth.) Also the jealously, guilt trips etc. is not worth the pain it may cause.

So with that Bogleheads, please help me raise a glass in honor of my mom and help me quietly celebrate this milestone 48 years in the making...Cheers!

I love this sort of story. I read that book many years ago (Millionaire Next Door), and it's always great to hear about someone who has successfully accomplished what the book describes (since, as you know from the book, you wouldn't otherwise be able to tell just by judging how someone looks or what car they drive, etc.). A very sincere congrats to you and the Mrs. Now keep at it.

I would find it so hard to be keeping my financial situation a secret from family and close friends. I'm lucky because I don't need to. Our family is all in similiar circumstances. We thus can discuss strategies and investment advice. My friends at work have done work on my family's estate so they know what I have and I can have similiar discussions with them. My other friends are in situations where while I don't directly discuss it, I wouldn't be worried for them to know. They all are well off.

My brother has some in-laws ( not this wife's parents but her First cousins who she is very close to ) who are in a very difffernt situation. They almost lost their home last year. My brother was not going to let that happen and paid off their mortgage which was about 79K They were very grateful and said something to her mom like " wow are you sure. Does he have like hundreds of thousands of dollars ? We don't want to have them hurting .") My brother ( and his MIL) assured them he would be fine but was not going to tell them he has millions.

Congratulations! I'm sure your mom is very proud, looking down at you.

We also "live next door", and like you, can't talk about it. Well, I can with my sister--she also "lives next door". Our brothers have no clue.

When we hit the milestone, DH and I made a pact not to tell anyone. But a couple weeks ago, he confessed that he let it slip to his brother. Their mom died a couple months ago, and BIL mentioned that, when the inheritance came through, they'd each be millionaires. DH couldn't resist, and said that he already was. I don't really blame him, though--all his life, DH has been treated like the "stupid little brother", and BIL thought he was a big wheeler-dealer investor. Of course, BIL was always chasing trends, trying to time the market, etc., while we went the slow and steady route.

It is a wonderful feeling to see two commas in your investment account. I'm 53 now and hoping we can double it before I retire in seven years. Our secret was living below our means and investing at least 50% of every raise I received over a 20 year period. We started out small, $200/month, but it adds up over time and having good diligence for saving/investing.

Congratulations - and this is how it's done! By quietly working hard, saving a lot, and investing wisely, nearly anyone can secure their financial future. It's great that you're one of the few to do this successfully!

With the help of many on this board and reminding me "to stay the coarse," Mrs. and Mr. B. Wellington quietly became the Millionaires Next door last month. Yes, a strong bull market helped us to this level.

Some of you know that we are not doctors or high paid engineers. We are Joe and Jane Lunchbox in blue collar positions who grew up in a small Midwestern town that most have never heard of.

This comes somewhat bitter-sweet, let me explain. My biggest supporter and "cheerleader," my mother, passed away last year. She often reminded me that at age 8 or 9 I said that I wanted to become a "millionaire" before I reached 50. I was 6 years late to the party, however she knew how hard I had worked and saved. She also knew I had (a few) investments.

We are very private people and to share this with others in the family or friends would be asking for trouble. The looks (we don't "fit" the millionaire myth.) Also the jealously, guilt trips etc. is not worth the pain it may cause.

So with that Bogleheads, please help me raise a glass in honor of my mom and help me quietly celebrate this milestone 48 years in the making...Cheers!

B. Wellington

Hi B. Wellington -

Congrats on your achievement and rest assured your Mom would be proud!

Best.

John C. Bogle: "You simply do not need to put your money into 8 different mutual funds!" |
|
Disclosure: Three Fund Portfolio + U.S. & International REITs

With the help of many on this board and reminding me "to stay the coarse," Mrs. and Mr. B. Wellington quietly became the Millionaires Next door last month. Yes, a strong bull market helped us to this level.

Some of you know that we are not doctors or high paid engineers. We are Joe and Jane Lunchbox in blue collar positions who grew up in a small Midwestern town that most have never heard of.

This comes somewhat bitter-sweet, let me explain. My biggest supporter and "cheerleader," my mother, passed away last year. She often reminded me that at age 8 or 9 I said that I wanted to become a "millionaire" before I reached 50. I was 6 years late to the party, however she knew how hard I had worked and saved. She also knew I had (a few) investments.

We are very private people and to share this with others in the family or friends would be asking for trouble. The looks (we don't "fit" the millionaire myth.) Also the jealously, guilt trips etc. is not worth the pain it may cause.

So with that Bogleheads, please help me raise a glass in honor of my mom and help me quietly celebrate this milestone 48 years in the making...Cheers!

B. Wellington

P.S. Remember after one comes two!

John C. Bogle: "You simply do not need to put your money into 8 different mutual funds!" |
|
Disclosure: Three Fund Portfolio + U.S. & International REITs